Resilient flush tank valve and water level indicator



March 16, 1965 J. J. MOCRINK 3,173,152

RESILIENT FLUSH TANK VALVE AND WATER LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Oct. 9, 1962Fig 3 E I/liilllllllln F J,",,l\

nuunK 1.. 80 4 Fig 4 5 68 22 Joseph .1 McCr/nk 66 74 74 '"m' INVENTOR.48 6'2 4 f6 50 84 ad wqfi% United States Patent C 3,173,152 RESILIENTFLUSH TANK VALVE AND WATER LEVEL INDICATQR Joseph J. McCrinir, 16 MooreTerrace, West Grange, NJ. Filed Oct. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 229,393 4 Claims.(Cl. 4-52) This invention relates, generally speaking, to a flush tankand toilet bowl assembly but, more particularly, to an improved valve totake the place of the customary rubber tank ball or valve, and novelmanually trippable means for unseating the valve in a well known mannerto flush the toilet bowl.

It follows that one aspect of the instant concept is to replace theusual hollow tank-ball with a highly simple, practical and economicalvalve; for example, a rubber or an equivalent flap valve. One end of thelatter is anchored on the lower end portion of the standard-typeoverflow pipe and the flap proper, which is preferably disk-like and isseated over the water intake of the tankemptying bowl flushing elbowbetween the tanks bottom and proximal portion of the toilet bowl.

The invention features, in addition to the above, simple and novel meansfor opening and closing the flap valve, wherein said means, broadlyconstrued, has to do with a lever which is mounted in the watercontaining tank, a flexible connection between the valve and valveactuating end of the lever, and a manually actuata-ble trigger or triplever and operating crank connection between the trigger and lever.

More explicitly, the lever means may vary in construction in that oneform or embodiment thereof embodies an L-shaped lever portion with onelimb thereof connected to a rockably mounted trigger-equipped portion.

An alternative adaptation is characterized by a generally straight leverone end of which is actuated by a trigger and the other end connectibleto a flexible cord or equivalent loop which, in turn, is connected tothe flap valve.

Also, and as will be hereinafter more specifically revealed, theinvention embodies, in addition to the flap valve and operating meanstherefor, water level indicating means, the latter operating inconjunction with the already described means and being connected forsatisfactory usage with the float-carrying arm which rises and fallsaccording to the water level in the tank.

With respect in particular to the water level indicator it is to bepointed out here that it is an innovation in that it constitutes afeasible and an apparently acceptable water saver. This is to say, theuser of the flap-valveequipped flush tank may control the opening andclosing movements of the valve. Consequently when the indicatorindicates to the user that sufiicient water has discharged from theflush tank into the bowl to produce an adequate flush, the valve can beallowed to close with the result that instead of emptying some fivegallons more or less of water from the tank into the bowl, the amountdispensed for a given use can be a couple of gallons, more or less, thusto achieve the water saving result.

Further novelty is predicated on a simple, practical and efiicientescutcheon plate which lends itself to mounting on the front or upperlefthand corner portion of the front wall of the tank and can, as amatter of fact, be substituted for the bushing structure now commonlyemployed by reason of the fact that the plate is provided with adaptermeans which fits into the customary front wall opening, said plate beingfurther unique in that it serves to accommodate the index finger of theaforementioned water level indicator means.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter "ice described and claimed,reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof,wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in penspective showing a fragmentary portion of theusual toilet bowl, the associated flush tank with portions of the wallsthereof broken away to disclose the present invention and the manner inwhich the component parts thereof are constructed and installed for use;

FIGURE 2 is a top plane view with the cover removed and with therighthand end portion of the flush tank omitted;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view detailing the escutcheon plateand the adaptable attaching or mounting means therefor wherein thelatter is provided with desirable bearing means;

FIGURE 4 is a detail section on the vertical section line 44 of FIGURE 3looking in the direction of the indicating arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view on the plane of the section line 5-5 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing, with greaterparticularity, the construction of the multipurpose escutcheon orequivalent exteriorly arranged plate; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a modified flapvalve operating arrangement.

Referring now to the views of the drawing and more particularly withreference to FIGS, 1 to 3 and 5. The usual flush tank is denoted at 10.This tank embodies the customary receptacle portion 12, removable lid orcover 14, a bottom Wall 16 and front wall 18. For purposes of theinstant invention the other walls need not be mentioned. The toilet bowlor hopper is denoted generally by the numeral 20 and as shown in FIG. 5the flush water delivering or drainage elbow between the tank bottom 16and bowl 20 comprises the usual elbow 22 having an interior or upper endportion which is of bellmouth form and provides a regularly used valveseat 24. The customary vertical upstanding overflow pipe 26 iscommunicatively connected as at 28 to the elbow.

As has already been suggested the customary ball tank valve is to bereplaced by the simple rubber or equivalent one-piece flap valve 30, thelatter comprising a disk-like body portion 32 which constitutes thevalve proper and is normally engaged with the seat 24 as shown. Thisbody portion is joined by an intervening neck portion 34 to a ring-likeend portion 36 which constitutes an attaching and retaining collar. Theapertured portion 38 of this collar embraces the lower end portion ofthe overflow pipe and the yielding neck provides a novel hinge providinga hinge action which allows the normally closed flap to be lifted up asindicated in phantom lines in FIG. 5 to thus open and close the mouth orseat 24. Man-ifestly the degree of opening of this flap valve isregulatable depending on the stress or pull exerted on a flexibleoperating element. This element comprises a strong cord or an equivalenttethering element 40. The lower loop end thereof at 42 is tied orotherwise connected to a tab 44 on the margin of the flap valve. Theupper end of this element, denoted generally at 46, is connectible withthe operating connection, that is the connection between the flexibleelement 49 and the exteriorly arranged and manulally manipulatab'letrigger or trip ever 48.

The operating connection is characterized chiefly by a balanced leverwhich in turn is in the form of a substantially L-shaped rod denotedgenerally at 50 and embodying a vertical limb 52 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and ahorizontal limb 54 (FIGS. 1 and 2) said horizontal limb having itsrighthand end portion of special construction so that the part thereofdenoted at 56 embraces one side 3 of the upstanding overflow pipe. It isconnected to a return bend or bent portion 58 which is on adiametrically opposite side of the overflow pipe, the interveningportion having a substantially V-shaped crotch 66 with which the end 46of the flexible element is connected as brought out in FIGS. 1 and 2.The flexible element will have to be of prerequisite length so that whenthe L-shaped lever 50 is at rest in its normal position the flap valveis closed and the cord or flexible element 46 is substantially taut andis ready to lift the valve up to an open position as soon as the triggeror trip lever 48 is pushed down by the users finger in the customaryfashion. Before dwelling with particularity on the aforementionedexterior escutcheon or equivalent plate 62 attention is first invited toFIG. 3 wherein it will be noted that the trigger embodies a horizontalrod 64 which constitutes an axle or shaft and whose outer end is ofU-shaped form as at 66 and is provided with a suitably ornamental jacketor cover 68. The righthand end portion in FIG. 3 extends into a socketprovided by one branch 70 of a substantially angle-shaped connecting orcoupling member 72. The part 64 is fitted securely in 70' and a rigidconnection is thus provided. The end of 70 provides a stop shoulder asat 74. The other branch '76 provides a socket for the upper end of thelimb or arm 52. The plate is provided with a bearing hole as at 78 andis also provided in line therewith with a so-called adapter 80 whichfiits into the usual square opening 82 (FIG. 3) in the wall 18 of theflush tank. The adapter is welded or otherwise fixed to the attachableside of the plate and has one end which is yieldably free as at 84. Thisis yieldingly fitted in the opening 82. Other portions of the adapterhave bearing openings which are aligned with the bearing opening 78 tothus provide a satisfactory supporting and journaling arrangement forthe trigger rotated shaft 64. The escutcheon plate is also provided witha reinforcing marginal edge flange 86 which bears directly against thesurface of the wall 18. This plate is also provided with a suitablesight opening 88 which functions as a simple dial, as it were, todesignate the movement of the index finger 90 which constitutes a partof the trippable Water level indicating means. This means, moreparticularly, embodies a rod portion 92 which is rotatable in thebearings 94 provided therefor as shown in FIG. 6. This shaft connectswith a reach arm 96 which is spaced from and approximately parallel tothe arm 98 which carries the water level float 100. There is a U-shapedend portion at the right as at 102 having a lateral terminal bend 104which terminates in a hook 106 which is engaged with the arm 98 adjacentto its point of connection with the float 100. It follows that when thetrigger 48 is pushed down in the customary manner to open the tank valveand flush the toilet bowl and when the float arm 98 descends inconnection with the float 160, the reach and connecting arm and itslinking means 102 and 6 serves to operate the shaft member 92 andconsequently the index or indicator finger 9t Thetravel of this fingerwhich is measurable in relation to the opening 88, enables the user toactually follow the rise and fall action of the arm 98 and float 100. Italso enables the user to determine when approximately one-half the waterin the tank has flushed into the bowl whereupon the valve 30 can beallowed to close and trap the bulk of the water in the flush tank. Itfollows as before suggested that by incorporating the water levelindicating means with the trigger means or trip lever 48, the two, 48and 9t) operate in unison. Consequently the user of the toilet canoperate the trigger 48 for a full flush or where as desired or preferredfor a half-flush.

The same general principle of operation is applicable to themodification as seen in FIG. 7. In this figure the water level indicatormeans would be the same. The only difference is in the simplifiedoperating connection between the trigger means 48 and the valve. Forconvenience the bottom wall of the tank is denoted at 16A and the frontvertical wall at 18A, The overflow pipe is denoted at 26A, the valveseat at 24A and the flap valve at 30A. Here again the flap valve is ofthe construction described in that it embodies the aforementioneddisk-like main flap 32, neck 34, collar 36 and attaching or anchoringhole 38. In this modification the lever comprises the singlesubstantially straight rod 108 having .an eye 116 at the lower end whichswings in the direction of the arrow A, that is from right to left. Theeye is connectihle to the upper end of a cord or an equivalent flexibleelement or loop 112 having component portions 114 and 116 ondiametrically opposite sides of the overflow pipe and with the lower endportions 116 connected to the flap valve so that it is lifted up to openposition or dropped and allowed to close in keeping with the inherentresilient properties embodied in the valve. Thus the valve is normallyclosed and is gradually openable by exerting a pull on the flexibleoperating element 40 or 112 as the case may be. The lever means servesto accomplish this result and in FIG. 7 the upper end 118 (not detailed)is connected with appropriate trigger means so that it is rocked oroscillated in the desired angular manner.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the specification inconjunction with the views of the drawing will enable the reader toobtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction andarrangement and cooperation of the component parts, the manner ofoperation, and the features and advantages thereof. Consequently, a moreextended description is regarded as utinecessary. v

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A water fillable and drainable flush tank construction comprising: awalled tank having a bottom wall provided with outlet means embodying agravity flow elbow, said outlet means being adapted to be operativelycommunicatively connected at a discharge end with a complemental toiletbowl, said outlet means having a portion within the interior of saidtank provided with a valve seat, an upstanding tank water overflow pipein said tank joined at its lower end to said elbow, a flap valvenormally atop said seat and closing the outlet means, said flap valvebeing flexible and also resilient, a shaft rockable in a bearingprovided therefor on a front wall of said tank, a hand operated tripmember mounted on said shaft and located exteriorly of said front wall,an elongated lever in said tank, the major portion of said lever beingdisposed in an operating plane below the plane of the upper end of saidoverflow pipe and having one end operatively connected with said shaft,the other end being free, terminating adjacent to said overflow pipe andprovided with terminal guide means guidingly embracing and movably0perable relative to said upstanding overflow pipe, a normally tautflexible element between and connected at a lower end with a liftableand lowerable end portion of said flap valve and oriented with saidoverflow pipe and connected at its upper end to and adapted to be liftedand tautly suspended by said terminal guide means, a conventional-typefloat arm mounted for operation in said tank, a float carried by saidarm and responsive to the rise and fall of the water in said flush tank,and readily viewable rise and fall indicating means embodying a rockershaft operatively mounted on said front wall, said rocker shaft beingprovided on an outer visible end with an indicating finger, a dial fixedon said front wall, said finger being cooperable with said dial, and areach arm in said tank having one.

end operatively connected with said rocker shaft in a manner to actuatesaid indicating finger and its opposite end operatively connected with amedian portion of said float arm.

2. In combination, a walled tank having water outlet means at its bottomincluding a conventional enclosed gravity flow elbow and adapted forcommunicative connection with a complemental toilet bowl, said meansprovided on the interior of the tank with a horizontal valve seat, anupstanding tank water overflow pipe communicatively joined at its lowerend to said elbow, a flexibly resilient flap valve anchored at one endon said overflow pipe and normally covering the water outlet means andresiding atop said seat, a hand operated trip lever mounted for accessand ready operation on the exterio of the front wall of said tank, meansoperatively connecting said trip lever and flap valve for lifting andopening said valve and then permitting the valve to automaticallydescend and close, said means including a lever operatively joined atone end to the trip lever, a flexible valve lifting element orientedwith and located between the other end of the lever and connectedtherewith and also with the openable and closable end to said flapvalve, a float arm operable in the space of said tank, a float mountedon said arm, a water rise and fall indicating finger arranged on theexterior of the tank, a plate fixed on said exterior, said finger beingcontiguous to and cooperable with a surface of said plate, meansoperatively connecting said finger and said float arm for operation inunison, said last-named means including a reach rod paralleling thefloat arm and having one end thereof provided with a hook releasablyengageable with a cooperating portion of said arm, the other end thereofhaving a shaft rockably mounted in a bearing provided therefor in saidplate and carrying the indicating finger.

3. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said plate is providedwith an adapter, said adapter being plugged and fitted telescopingly andremovably into an opening provided therefor in the front wall of saidtank, said adapter embodying yieldable self-retained retaining meansengageable with the marginal edges of said opening, said adapter andalso said plate having aligned coacting bearing means, and said rockershaft being mounted for angular rotation in said bearing means.

4. In combination, a flush tank, a float arm mounted 4 for operation onthe interior of said tank, a float mounted for operation on a free endportion of said arm, an escutcheon plate mounted on an exterior surfaceof the front wall of said tank, said plate having an attachable surfacefacing said front wall and being provided with adapter means, saidadapter means projecting into a retaining opening provided therefor insaid front wall, said adapter means and also said plate being providedwith bearing means, a rocker shaft mounted for angular rotation in saidbearing means, said rocker shaft having an outer end extending beyondsaid front wall and provided with a laterally projecting indicatingfinger, said plate having a sight opening constituting and providing anindex and said indicating finger being parallel to said plate andproximal to and cooperating movably with said index, a reach rod in saidtank and connected at one end with said rocker shaft'and having itsopposite end portion free and provided with a return bend defining a'U-shaped portion, said U-shaped portion having a lateral terminalincluding a hook releasably engageable with a median portion of saidfloat arm, the bottom of the tank being provided with outlet meanshaving a valve seat and an associated overflow pipe, a flap valvemounted on said overflow pipe and having a liftable and lowerableportion resting normally atop said seat, a normally taut flexibleelement connected at one end with said valve for lifting and openingsaid valve and then permitting unhampered lowering and closing of thevalve against said seat, lever means arranged in said tank and having afree end terminating adjacent said overflow pipe, slidingly embracingsaid overflow pipe and operatively connected with said flexible means, asecond shaft mounted for angular rotation in additional bearing meansprovided therefor on said adapter and plate, said second shaft beingprovided on its outer end with an ac cessible fingergrip, and means onthe inner end of said second shaft operatively connected by way of thelever means with said flexible element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,545,014 7/23Robbins 73--3l7 2,314,158 3/43 Peters 73-317 2,532,977 12/50 White 4672,598,967 6/52 Bennett 457 2,629,879 3/53 Bennett 4-57 EDWARD V. BENHAM,Primary Examiner.

1. A WATER FILLABLE AND DRAINABLE FLUSH TANK CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING: AWALLED TANK HAVING A BOTTOM WALL PROVIDED WITH OUTLET MEANS EMBODYING AGRAVITY FLOW ELBOW, SAID OUTLET MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO BE OPERATIVELYCOMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED AT A DISCHARGE END WITH A COMPLEMENTAL TOILETBOWL, SAID OUTLET MEANS HAVING A PORTION WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF SAIDTANK PROVIDED WITH A VALVE SEAT, AN UPSTANDING TANK WATER OVERFLOW PIPEIN SAID TANK JOINED AT ITS LOWER END TO SAID ELBOW, A FLAP VALVENORMALLY ATOP SAID SEAT AND CLOSING THE OUTLET MEANS, SAID FLAP VALVEBEING FLEXIBLE AND ALSO RESILIENT, A SHAFT ROCKABLE IN A BEARINGPROVIDED THEREFOR ON A FRONT WALL OF SAID TANK, A HAND OPERATED TIPMEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT AND LOCATED EXTERIORLY OF SAID FRONT WALL,AN ELONGATED LEVER IN SAID TANK, THE MAJOR PORTION OF SAID LEVER BEINGDISPOSED IN AN OPERATING PLANE BELOW THE PLANE OF THE UPPER END OF SAIDOVERFLOW PIPE AND HAVING ONE END OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID SHAFT,THE OTHER END BEING FREE, TERMINATING ADJACENT TO SAID OVERFLOW PIPE ANDPROVIDED WITH TERMINAL GUIDE MEANS GUIDINGLY EMBRACING AND MOVABLYOPERABLE RELATIVE TO SAID UPSTANDING OVERFLOW PIPE, A NORMALLY TAUTFLEXIBLE ELEMENT BETWEEN AND CONNECTED AT A LOWER END WITH A LIFTABLEAND LOWERABLE END PORTION OF SAID FLAP VALVE AND ORIENTED WITH SAIDOVERFLOW PIPE AND CONNECTED